Beltramos Blog » Single Malt Scotchhttp://blog.beltramos.com
For Great Information on the Wines You LoveWed, 25 Feb 2015 17:59:34 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1The Japanese 12s: Whiskyhttp://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/the-japanese-12s-whisky/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-japanese-12s-whisky
http://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/the-japanese-12s-whisky/#commentsFri, 26 Sep 2014 01:12:34 +0000dbeltramohttp://blog.beltramos.com/?p=5583With the increasing popularity of American Whiskey as well as Single Malts from Scotland, it’s becoming more and more difficult to find some of our favorites and while others remain available, for the meantime, it is at a continually increased price. Enter the Japanese Whisky sector: for many years represented by only a handful of excellent malts, there are now dozens of truly exceptional options available with more to come. The history of Japanese Whisky goes back to the early 20th century when the company that would become Suntory began distilling Whisky after the manner of the Scots. One of the company’s employees, Masataka Taketsuru, who was trained in Scotland, eventually broke off to form his own distillery, later called Nikka. Both of these distilleries are still in operation today and we are truly lucky to carry some of their finest Whiskies.

Hibiki 12 year ($64.99): A delectable blended malt produced by Suntory. Just a warning: this is dangerously easy to drink. From the Whisky Advocate: “Well-rounded, solid malt backbone, and very drinkable. These are the main characteristics of this impressive blend. Honeysuckle, vanilla-coated malt and fruit (pineapple upside down cake, lemon tart, plum, bramble) are the primary flavors. Ripe barley, marzipan, beeswax, and clove round out the palate. Gentle, soothing finish.”

Yamazaki 12 year ($59.99): This Whiskey is the flagship of Suntorys’ Japanese Single Malts. A fantastic all around dram at $59.99 which works equally well on its own or with a splash of water or ice. Light gold in color, with big aromas of orange, pineapple and a hint of vanilla. The palate follows with a slightly creamy texture as well as cinnamon and various citrus fruits. In Japan it is not uncommon to combine the Yamazaki 12 with sparkling water and ice in what is called a ‘highball’, which is considered a beverage which may be taken with food much as one uses wine or beer.

Hakushu 12 year($59.99): Another Whiskey from the Suntory group, it is known as the ‘mountain’ malt as it comes from their distillery located at the foot of Mt. Kaikomagatake and created using the crisp waters of the surrounding area. This is the first of the Hakushu line to come into the U.S. and is recognized for its crisp and fresh herbal flavors with a hint of smoke. For $59.99 this is certainly suited for straight enjoyment as well as mixed with water and ice and for a crisper version of the ‘highball.’ This is a good one to try if you’re a fan of lightly peated Scotch.

Nikka 12 year ‘Miyagikyo’ ($109.99): This Single Malt comes from the Nikka distilleries’ Miyagikyo distillery in Sendai which differs from their Yoichi distillery due to the dual factors of water supply and ageing environment. The Miyagikyo is feminine and smooth, where the Yoichi is smoky and masculine, available in a 15 Year variant for $119.99. At $109.99 the Miyagikyo is definitely a contemplative sipping dram. From the producer, “This whisky is distinguished by a harmony of the aroma of aged casks with sweet hints of vanilla and gentle peat. The soft taste is elegantly deepened by a sweet and tangy fruitiness.”

Today the focus was on 12 year expressions of Japanese Whisky, as they are for the most part the most approachable. However, these are just a few of many offerings we have from Japan, and I urge you to come on down, browse around, and feel free to ask myself or one of my colleagues more about our ever expanding collection of Japanese Whiskies.

Bill A, Beltramo’s Assistant Manager

]]>http://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/the-japanese-12s-whisky/feed/0What’s that behind there? A Single Malt Treasurehttp://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/whats-that-behind-there-a-single-malt-treasure-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=whats-that-behind-there-a-single-malt-treasure-2
http://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/whats-that-behind-there-a-single-malt-treasure-2/#commentsSat, 27 Apr 2013 09:00:32 +0000dbeltramohttp://blog.beltramos.com/?p=4833You know those shows where people are cleaning up and find something, and it’s worth a small fortune (even if you don’t watch you’ve seen the ads). Well, that’s what happened here: recently, we stumbled upon a bottle of 50 Year Old Highland Park Single Malt Scotch, released in October 2010. Granted it’s not an antique Russian Bear Clock that we found, but it is pretty rare. So hopefully you found something worth a small fortune in your garage, and the profits are burning a hole in your pocket. If so, let us tempt you to spend it on a new acquisition of something old: a bottle of what is touted as the oldest island single malt ever produced.

The Highland Park 50 Year Old will even look better than that Russian Bear Clock on your mantle. The Scotch is encased in a limited edition bottle which is wrapped in a netting of hand-crafted ornate sterling silver designed by Maeve Gillies, Scottish bridal jewelry designer based in New York. The bottle design is said to express the best of Orkney’s natural elements. The bottle itself is then packaged in a hand-carved oak box, with a sterling silver porthole, allowing one to spy the prize inside.

Highland Park describes this gem as:

Highland Park 50 Year Old is the distillery’s oldest and most prestigious release. Only 275 bottles of this remarkable Limited Edition are available. It is a vatting of five casks distilled in 1960. Like all Highland Park, the 50 year old has been cask-harmonised, that is to say, refilled into casks upon reaching maturity in order to ensure perfect balance and consistency.

To ensure the full impact of the rich, complex flavours that come from a lifetime of maturation, Highland Park 50 Year Old has been bottled at 44.8% abv.

TASTING NOTES

Appearance:Clear and bright with burnished mahogany hues.

Nose:Complex and multi-layered; dusty wood and old tobacco pouch at first. Slowly the emphasis moves to fruit and spices; cooked damsons, raisins and nutmeg are all prevalent.

Palate:At full strength, it is rich and spicy with excellent tannins and notes of muscovado sugar to the fore with a hint of wax. When reduced, orange peel, camphor and cloves emerge.

This is likely the last bottle of the original 275 that you will find available for purchase in the United States, making it the last great find of its kind.

- Rick C., Beltramo’s Spirits Buyer

]]>http://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/whats-that-behind-there-a-single-malt-treasure-2/feed/0Evening Scotch Tasting at Zibibbohttp://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/evening-scotch-tasting-at-zibibbo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=evening-scotch-tasting-at-zibibbo
http://blog.beltramos.com/spirits/evening-scotch-tasting-at-zibibbo/#commentsTue, 11 Sep 2012 18:45:57 +0000dbeltramohttp://blog.beltramos.com/?p=4378Come join Beltramo’s Spirits Buyer, Rick Clay, for a magnificent Scotch Whisky tasting at Zibibbo Restaurant in Palo Alto. The tasting will be led by three of the Scotch world’s greats: Ed Kohl, Anthony Wills, and Louisa Young, who will take you through a lineup of truly exceptional Single Malts.

Ed Kohl founded ImpEx Beverages, Inc. which controls an impressive catalogue of products such as the Chieftain’s line of independent bottlings, Kilchoman, Isle of Arran, and others both within and outside of the Scotch Whisky category. With nearly 40 years in the Beverage Industry, Ed Kohl has a wealth of experience and spirits knowledge that he happily calls upon while touring America and Europe giving educational seminars on all matters Whisky.

From Kilchoman Distillery on Islay, joining the group will be Anthony Wills to lead tasters through a couple of the distillery’s recent releases. Wills founded Kilchoman in 2005, making it one of the newest distilleries in Scotland, and the first to open up on Islay in over 100 years. The production levels at Kilchoman are small, but it continues to be one of the most exciting distilleries in the business due to its artisanal production methods, wide array of frequent releases, and the variety of styles that Anthony and his colleagues take on.

Talking about the Isle of Arran line of Single Malts will be Louisa Young. Having spent time at Tullibardine Distillery, Young is currently the senior brand manager for Arran Single Malt. The Arran Distillery opened in 1995 and joins the island’s long history of superb and unique Whiskies.